Livette

Although reading extensively your posts about traveling independently and the fun in planning it all, we are going to opt for an escorted tour. It's our first time to Italy and I think a tour will give us a generous glance of the country and then we can go back on our own. With that said, has anyone taken this tour or maybe another that you loved? I'm torn between Globus, Collette and Perillo. I wish we could afford Tauck because I hear they are the best but unfortunately we cannot.

I did do a search on tours and came up with some information posted a while back.

Any new experiences on tours to comment on?

We are planning to do some extra nights in Rome and for that I will follow the expert advice of you all.

Please help. This is such a huge trip for my parents and I.

Thanks
Linda

lyb

I recently went to Italy with Insight Tours. It was great, never had to bother about my luggage, great tour director. The hotels were good and in addition to having plenty of free time, we also had lots of optional activities to pick from.

If you haven't already checked their website, you might want to taek a look:

www.insightvacations.com

I took the Italian Escapade tour, a great way to see the country.

jame

I took a Perillo tour to Italy a few years ago. It was an 11 day trip called the "Three City Aristocrat" and it was wonderful. They specialize in Italy so have quite a few different tours to choose from. My parents have used Perillo twice for Italy (Northern and Southern) and were also very pleased with their trips.

mrsbu

Just was looking at websites and the Insight and Trafagar websites are identical. Any one know if they are the same company now.

lyb

Yes, Insight & Trafalgar are sister companies. My understanding is that Insight is higher end, such as the hotels are centrally located, which I can attest for, at least on the trip I took. Also, more is included in the price than Trafalgar's tour. I have never travelled with Trafalgar so I can't say much about them, but the Insight tour was great.

Dottie

lvb, I would love to hear more about your trip. I to am thinking of taking this very tour, or the Globus Italian Mosaic, both look very much a like.

What were your favorite moments and places? Did you feel rushed and do you wish you had more time at any of the places you went? Also what optional tours where there and the costs? What was the size of your group and age ranges? Did you have any problems hearing the guide because of group size?Was there an english speaking guide available for all tours?

Also what kind of clothes did you take? Yes,I am a female Do I need to take a dress or will slacks do? What about laundry? Sorry to ask so many questions, just want to be sure want to expect. I haven't taken a tour before; we have always planned our own. But given I don't speak Italian I am thinking a tour like this might be the way to go. Thanks for your information.

lilla

You might also like to take a look at Odysseys Unlimited www.odysseys-unlimited.com. They specialize in small-group tours and stay in each location two or three nights. They have some very nice Italy tours. We have traveled with them twice and couldn't have been any more pleased.

jmb67

I went on a Globus tour three weeks ago (Italian Treasures). The tour director was wonderful and I did not have to worry about my luggage. It was a little too fast paced for me (not enough time in some places and too many small stops), but you are going on the leisure tour, which should allow you more free time.

LindyE

Hi! We took the Globus Italy at Leisure tour and really enjoyed it. The tour guide was wonderful - she was such fun to have around. We met some great people on the tour with us. We've planned a reunion trip in June in New Orleans (our tour guide is coming too). The tour was very good. We saw the main sights, had time to be on our own when we wanted to, never worried about anything - if someone needed something - Globus took care of it. For your first trip to Italy - I'd recommend it. The pace was fine - and there were only 2 days that had bus travel.
Have a terrific time!

Ozarksbill

Some years ago we went with Globus on a general European tour and were satisfied. Yes, we've known many who have traveled with Perillo, Trafalgar, Tauck, mostly with good reports, sometimes complaints. The upside with commercial tours is that baggage and hotels are arrainged for you. The downside is that you are in a bus with a large number of travelers.

We ourselves have traveled overseas three times with Grand Circle Travel which is for seniors 50ish or more, and with Elderhostel and with Backroads Touring in UK and with others.

The Italy trip was with GCT locating in two centers (Sorrento and Montecatini plus Rome) from which you plan day trips. This eliminates the every day getting bags outside the door at 6 a.m. thing which can be tiring, though you do cover more territory. That does bring up a question: what is your goal for a trip?
Bill in Missouri

Livette

Thanks to all for your responses.

To Bill: I guess our goal is to marvel in the history and beauty of Italy. We want it to be worry free and the trip of a lifetime. I have toured with Globus before and thought they were fantastic. I actually liked traveling in a group because I met some of the nicest people from all over the world. However,the tour at that time was very fast paced. I am going now with my parents so I'd like it to be a little calmer. We want to see as much as we can but at a leisurely pace.

Livette

To: LindyE

How were the hotels on this tour? Were they centrally located to make touring on your own more convenient? What about the optional tours? If we go on this tour, we will be flying in 4 days earlier so I'd like to know if the hotel Globus uses is a good one.

Thanks,
Linda

Ozarksbill

Livette:

That's my one problem with Globus and other similar tours...the fast pace you mention. That's why we like Grand Circle, Elderhostel. I see that there is a Globus at Leisure which you might look at. GCT has conducted tours, also what they label as "extended vacation" which really are leisurely. Yes, we like the history and culture.
Bill in Missouri

atcken

Is a tour a good option for an 18 year old traveling with his 40 something parents? We've looked at what appear to be great tours from Globus (as well as Perillo) but I'm a bit concerned that my son and maybe even his Mom and I, would feel a bit too young. No offense to the seniors - I'll be there soon! This will be our first trip to Italy and first time to Europe for my wife.

Ken

cheuvront

Interesting-we (40's) are going with our 19 year old son on a Globus tour in May. It's the Heart of Europe tour for 13 days plus additional days we added on pre and post tour. My husband has been to different places in Europe, but not me or our son. I think this will be a good way to see the highlights and then go back on our own sometime when we want to. In my research I found good reviews for Globus and Insight. My son is the catalyst behind this trip and he actually picked out the tour. I think it will be a great experience for all of us. Good luck on your trip.